Citric acid - harmfulness and impact on health

The characteristic taste of citric acid is familiar to most people from an early age. This popular product can be found in every home kitchen. What is worth knowing about citric acid, the harmfulness of this compound and its impact on the human body?

Citric acid: what is it?

In 1784, the Swedish-German chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele isolated citric acid from lemon juice. Scheele, considered the father of modern chemistry, did not focus on this discovery, however. Mass production of kvass began only 100 years later.

It is worth noting here that the diminutive name citric acid is a colloquial name. Chemists describe this organic compound as citric acid or 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. In the food industry it is known as E330. It is a hydroxy carboxylic acid with three carboxyl groups. It has the form of colorless, small crystals, acidic and well soluble in water.

Citric acid is one of the most abundant acids on Earth. It is found in fruits (mainly citrus) and vegetables, and even in the human body! In industrial conditions, it is produced as a product of lemon sugar fermentation or one of the derivatives of starch hydrolysis.

What are the uses of citric acid?

For decades, citric acid has been widely used in households and industry. Already our great-grandmothers used citric acid as a cheap and proven agent for cleaning various surfaces or an addition to preserves and jams. The compound exists in two forms: as technical citric acid or food acid. It works well as an ingredient in many products that we use every day, such as:

• cleaning agents,
• paints,
• construction chemicals.

Citric acid can also be found in: beverages, confectionery, fruit preserves, fresh and packaged meat, delicatessen products, etc. It is an acidity regulator, antioxidant, preservative, aroma and dye.

Is citric acid healthy?

And how does citric acid work on human health ? Food kvass, as its name implies, can be eaten. Small amounts do not adversely affect the human body. Vitamin C, contained in its composition, undoubtedly has beneficial properties. It is worth knowing that it is one of those vitamins that we are unable to produce on our own. What role does vitamin C play in the body and what is it responsible for? Thanks to her:

• we absorb iron more easily (necessary for the production of hemoglobin),
• wounds heal faster
• our immune system is strengthened,
• we gain greater resistance to stress,
• we have patent, healthy veins.

Of course, vitamin C is not the same as citric acid: is it healthy to consume acid as a vitamin supplement? Definitely not, because its excess can have various adverse effects - what? Let's check.

Is citric acid harmful?

How does citric acid affect the human body - is it harmful ? It is certainly not a poisonous or toxic additive. Like any other substance, consumed in excessive amounts, this acid has some negative effects. If we exaggerate with its amount, we weaken the tooth enamel, on which caries bacteria will start to multiply. Acid-weakened enamel makes us react with pain when drinking hot or cold drinks.

Citric acid should also not be consumed by people struggling with diseases of the digestive system. It is not recommended especially for gastric ulcers, reflux or irritable bowel syndrome. Allergy sufferers and patients with acid-base imbalance should not eat it.

Is citric acid harmful to human skin?

And is citric acid healthy for the skin? According to the information attached to the labels by manufacturers, this white, acidic powder can be irritating to human skin. When, for example, we are going to use it in a home whitening treatment for hands, we should wash the crystals off with water as soon as possible. Prolonged contact of the acid with the epidermis will cause itching and redness. When using cleaning agents containing acid, wear protective gloves to avoid irritation.

Citric acid, added to cosmetics and hygiene products, is completely harmless. The concentration of this compound is low, and the vitamin C contained in the acid strengthens the cells, exfoliates dead skin cells and supports regeneration processes. Creams with the addition of citric acid have a brightening and antibacterial effect. Citric acid, as an antioxidant, also blocks the multiplication of free radicals in the body.

How does citric acid work on hair and nails?

Citric acid is also present in many cosmetics intended for daily hair and nail care. The addition of E330 has a brightening, antioxidant and strengthening effect, eliminates discoloration, helps fight inflammation. Thanks to it, hair and nails maintain a healthy appearance and gain natural protection against bacteria and free radicals.